Life, The Universe, and Everything…

Okay, so this is pissing me off. Adobe Flash Player must be the most incomplete app on the planet. Seems I get an update every week, if not more. It shows up just after I logon to Windows while all other services are starting and slows everything down. I go through the process to get it installed, wasting time not doing what I want too. Is it that perforated with holes that Adobe needs to do weekly repairs? Microsoft Windows isn’t even updated this much. Do Mac users run into this same problem?

As a tech guy, I want all my programs up-to-date and working as intended, but this is ridiculous. If I didn’t need Flash for so many things, I’d remove it completely. None of Adobe’s other products seem to need so many updates. Even Adobe Reader has fewer updates and its constantly getting hit by hackers as a vehicle to deploy their malware.

My question to Adobe is, “Why the hell isn’t there an option to just run the update automatically 5 minutes after I logon?” This would be so much easier, an option for silent updating. Don’t bother me with asking if I want the update, just update the damn app and be done with it. Give me the option to choose. If it’s a jacked update, I’ll live with the consequences. I’m a tech guy, I know how to un-install a program and reinstall it.

My second question to Adobe, “Why can’t you do monthly updates with the emergency updates as needed, or is every update an emergency for Flash Player?” With the exception of virus scanning software, most software companies only send out updates on an as-needed-basis or in the case of malware threats or a bad previous update, an emergency update is sent out to fix the problem. Microsoft’s policy on updates is to do Security updates once a month and everything else is on an as-needed basis, as seen below.

Fast Facts About Microsoft Update (http://www.microsoft.com/canada/smallbiz/issues/sgcv2/security-guidance-centre/fastfactsaboutmicrosoftupdate.mspx) Note: This is for Canada, in the US Patch Tuesday occur every second Tuesday of every month.Q: How often does Microsoft Update release new updates?A: Security-related updates are released once a month. However, if a security threat occurs, such as a widespread virus or worm that affects Windows-based computers, Microsoft will release a corresponding update as soon as possible. Other types of updates can be released whenever they are ready. It’s a good idea to turn on Automatic Updates so that your computer can receive high-priority updates as they become available.

Adobe, on the other-hand, state Flash needs to be updated “Periodically.” What, really? Periodically? Windows Updates are done periodically. Adobe Flash updates are verging on harassment. Dictionary.com states the definition of periodically as “recurring at intervals of time.” So I guess Adobe’s definition is quite different than mine, again verging on harassment.

Flash Player Help (http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help10.html)Why am I being asked to install an update?Periodically, Adobe updates Flash Player with new features or corrections and automatically notifies you so that you can install the updated version immediately. You are being asked to install the update because an update is now available, and your notification settings in the Settings Manager are configured to send you automatic notifications whenever an update is available.

Adobe Flash Settings Manager

For those of you that want to stop the automatic updates, you can open the Flash Player Settings Manager, select the Advanced tab the select the “Never check for updates (not recommended.)” It’s true, it’s not recommended and I don’t recommend it, but you can always update manually if you desire. Additionally, having an updated Flash Player allows you to continue to view online media without having to later do a large update and may also help to keep malware off your computer.

I guess, in my case, if I want to keep watching my YouTube videos, see animations, or play some online games, I’m just going to have to continue to take Adobe’s weekly rape of my computer.

Like this:

God of Nothing…

Thank you for visiting my blog. My name is Wolf Scott, and I am the God of Nothing. You’ll notice I write in only two categories, Life and Technology. This is because I am most comfortable with these two, and they pretty much cover everything in my life. There might be sub-categories, but really, those fit in these two quite nicely. If it has batteries, solar cells, or can be plugged in, it goes to the Technology category. If it is anything that I may have to deal with, good or bad, on a daily basis, it goes to the Life category. Simple.

I work in the Technology field when I’m working. I have been an Information Systems Analyst, another title for System or Network Administrator, for over 15 years and have worked with computers since I was a boy. It is a very cool occupation and I enjoy it.

I have been in the Life field for over 40 years and have gained lots of experience in living, both good and bad. The most important lessons I have learned it “Do what you love” and “Don’t live with regret.”

If you have any questions or comments, always feel free to let me know.

Thanks again,

Wolf Scott

You can also follow my more personal blog, Wolf Scott where I generally write a daily post on many different topics.